View full sizeForward Bright Dike will face another period of rehabilitation for the 2013 MLS season. The forward tore his ACL against Seattle back on February 5 necessitating surgery to repair the ligament. Dike is hopeful to be ready to return to the pitch sometime later this summer after the surgery is completed on February 11 by team doctors.Jennifer Kesgard, Community Blogger

The Portland Timbers were slated to finish their 10 day training camp with a fourth scheduled exhibition match, but their opponent on February 8 would not be one of their fellow MLS clubs that was training in the Tucson area. Instead, the Timbers would be meeting the host club of the Desert Friendlies from the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League, FC Tucson, in their final match before heading back to Portland. The visitors took control of the pace early and often and beat the hosts 3 to 0 behind goals from Hanyer Mosquera, Sebastian Rincon and Steven Evans to finish their four game schedule in Tucson at 3 wins with 1 loss.

Unlike the previous matches, the Timbers match with FC
Tucson wasn't streamed for viewing, so updates were provided by both clubs'
Twitter feeds. The Timbers didn't waste any time in taking the lead in the 3rd
minute when trialist midfielder Michael Nanchoff put a free kick into a
dangerous spot that Mosquera was able to head past FC Tucson Brian Holt.
Nanchoff created two more exceptional chances from free kicks in the first 21
minutes, but the Timbers weren't able to add to their lead until the 31st
minute. Kalif Alhassan was able to start a counter attack and found midfielder
Sal Zizzo on the move. Zizzo was able to feed Rincon, who was able to slide the
ball past Holt to push the lead to two. Rincon and Jose Valencia nearly pushed
the lead to three just before the half, but the first show was saved while the
second effort was chipped high.

Timbers midfielder Rodney Wallace rejoined his team
after playing for Costa Rica earlier in the week for a WCQ match, and made his
pre-season debut at the half. Coach Caleb Porter also gave Evans and Rincon
their first action of the year, with Evans being paired in the back with
another former University of Portland Pilot in Ryan Kawulok. While FC Tucson was finally able to get some
forward pressure on goal, Timbers goalkeeper David Meves was able to make the
save without fail. It looked like the final score would remain at 2 to 0 until
Evans put in his first goal of the pre-season. Evans moved forward in the 86th
minute and put an initial shot on frame that Holt saved, but Evans was able to
collect the rebound and put the second effort into the net for the final tally.
While the Timbers were facing a lower division side, FC Tucson was able to
create offense to test the relatively young Timbers defense.

View full sizeTimbers forward Sebastian Rincon got his first goal of 2013 against FC Tucson in the 31st minute, which put his team up 2 to 0. With recent injuries to Bright Dike and Brent Richards, Rincon could find himself very busy within the Timbers lineup until they return later this year.Kip Kesgard, community blogger

The Timbers now return to the Rose City for more
offseason training in preparation for their second annual pre-season tournament
starting at JELD-WEN Field on February 17. Fellow MLS teams San Jose and FC
Dallas will join the Timbers and famed Swedish side AIK for a round-robin
tournament where by each team will play the other three teams over a six day
period. Each game night (February 17, 20
and 23) will feature a double header with the Timbers playing in the final game
of the proceedings. The Timbers meet San
Jose in their first game, then FC Dallas in game two, then finish things off
with AIK in game three. Oregon Live will have plenty recaps of game action and
photos from the entire tournament coming soon. Here's a look at the current
state of the Timbers roster:

* The Timbers acquired the MLS Homegrown rights for Gallego from New York Red Bulls, which allows Portland the first right of refusal in signing him to an MLS contract.

** Songo'o is still listed on the Timbers roster page as under contract, and the Timbers still hold his rights. However, the team and player haven't been able to reach an acceptable contract, and Songo'o is now training in Houston. In a statement in January, Coach Caleb Porter indicated that Songo'o would not return to Portland.